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[Cites 5, Cited by 12]

Jharkhand High Court

Dr. Rakesh Kumar vs State Of Jharkhand & Ors on 4 July, 2012

Equivalent citations: 2012 (4) AIR JHAR R 607, (2012) 119 ALLINDCAS 865 (JHA), (2013) 136 FACLR 5, (2012) 4 JCR 679 (JHA)

                                        1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI      
                     W.P.(S) No. 1068 of 2012 
Dr. Rakesh Kumar                                 ...... Petitioner 
                                  Versus 
The State of Jharkhand & others                  ...... Respondents 
                                       ­­­­­­­­­
CORAM:  HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE D. N.  PATEL  
                                       ­­­­­­­­­
For the Petitioner  : M/s Sudarshan Shrivastava, Manoj Kumar, Advocates
For the State         : Mr. Rajesh Shanker, G.A.
For the JPSC                  : Mr. Sanjay Piprawall, Advocate    
                      ­­­ 
             th
 06/Dated: 4    July, 2012
                          
1.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had applied  for the post of Medical Officer in pursuance of the public advertisement  dated 10th November, 2010, which is at Annexure­1 to the memo of the  present petition. The petitioner is Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in  Surgery (hereinafter referred to as 'MBBS' for the sake of brevity). The  petitioner is a Scheduled Caste Category candidate. It has been further  submitted by the  counsel for the  petitioner that these  facts have  been  highlighted in paragraph nos.­7, 8, 9 and 10 to the memo of the present  petition substantiated by necessary evidences and these facts have not  been   controverted   in   the   counter   affidavit   filed   by   the   respondents  neither by the State nor by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission.  The petitioner has secured 226 marks out of total 400 marks. Looking to  the   public   advertisement,   which   is  at   Annexure­1,   there   are   total   218  posts of Medical Officer advertised out of which 22 posts are reserved for  Scheduled Caste Category candidates. 

2. Counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner in  his   application   has   also   annexed   the   caste   certificate   and   residential  certificate, which are at Annexures­2 and 3, respectively. Counsel for the  petitioner further pointed out that looking to Annexure­4, which is an  'Admit   Card   issued   by   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   for  appearing   in   the   examination,   the   said   Admit   Card   contains   the  photograph of the petitioner, the name of the petitioner, the roll number  of the  petitioner and the  category namely, Scheduled Caste. Thus, the  petitioner belongs to Scheduled Caste Category and even the address of  the petitioner is also reflected from Annexure­4. It is further submitted by  the counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is a highly meritorious  2 candidate and therefore, he has secured much more marks whereby, the  petitioner   can   even   compete   with   General   Category   candidates.  Petitioner's   result   has   been   published,   as   per   Annexure­5,   in   General  Category   candidate   (the   roll   number   of   the   present   petitioner   is  94000603,   which   is   reflected   at   internal   page­22   of   the   memo   of   the  present petition). It is further submitted by the counsel for the petitioner  that there were six candidates, who were called for oral interview, who  belong   to   Reserved   Category   namely,   Scheduled   Caste   Category  candidates.   Looking   to   this   result   published   by   the   Jharkhand   Public  Service   Commission   at   Annexure­5   at   internal   page­24,   it   has   been  mentioned   that   Reserved   Category   candidates   (Scheduled   Caste),   who  have   secured   25   %   marks   and   above   are   invited   to   appear   at   the  interview.   The   written   test   taken   was   of   total   400   marks   and   the  petitioner has secured 199 marks. Thus, the petitioner has secured more  than 25% of the total marks in the written examination and therefore, he  ought to have  been called for oral interview in Reserved Category i.e.  Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidates,   but,   instead   of   doing   this,   the  result of the petitioner has been published illegally under the Unreserved  Category. 

3. It is further submitted by the counsel for the petitioner that only six  candidates, who are Scheduled Caste Category candidates, were called  for   oral   interview.   The   petitioner's   roll   number   is   not   covered   in   this  category,   which   are   published   at   internal   page   no.   24,   for   Scheduled  Caste   Category   candidates.   This   is   also   an   error   on   the   part   of   the  respondents. It is further submitted by the counsel for the petitioner that  Annexure­6 is a final result published by the Jharkhand Public Service  Commission after appreciating marks obtained in the written test as well  as after obtaining marks in the oral interview. Thus, the final select list is  published   at   Annexure­6   and   under   the   selected   Scheduled   Caste  Category candidates, there are as many as 20 candidates, who have been  found  successful.  This  is also an  error  on the  part  of  the   respondents  because   looking   to   page   no.   24,   which   is   a   result   of   the   written  examination and only six candidates were called for interview, who are  Scheduled Caste  Category  candidates and  the  final  result published at  page 15 which speaks that 20 Scheduled Caste Category candidates are  3 successful. This is an error apparent on the face of the record. 

4. Counsel   for   the   petitioner   submitted   that   there   are   overlapping  errors committed by the respondents. It is submitted by the counsel for  the petitioner that the petitioner has obtained 27 marks in the viva voce  test out of total 40 marks. Thus, the petitioner has secured 226 marks out  of total 440 marks. The total marks obtained by the petitioner is much  higher marks than the lastly selected candidates in the General Category.

5. Counsel   for   the   petitioner   further   submitted   that   the   Jharkhand  Public Service Commission has insisted for Local Residential Certificate  (for employment). Such type of demand is illegal, arbitrary, capricious  and whimsical. The Jharkhand Public Service Commission has no such  authority in the eye of law to demand Local Residential Certificate. Once  the   petitioner   is   a   Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidate   looking   to  Annexure­2   and   Annexure­3,   it   is   enough   and   sufficient.   No   other  requirement is required for getting or for claiming benefits of Reserved  Category under Scheduled Caste Category. The Jharkhand Public Service  Commission is unnecessarily relying upon some  Circular issued by the  State of Jharkhand  bearing no. 4156 dated 17th  July, 2002 (Annexure­8  to   the   supplementary   rejoinder   affidavit,   filed   by   the   petitioner).   It   is  stated   by   the   counsel   for   the   petitioner   that   this   Circular   bearing   no.  4156   dated   17th  July,   2002   is   altogether   for   a   different   context.   The  Circular talks about local resident and the  manner in which the  Local  Residential certificate can be issued. There is no reservation for the local  resident for the post in question. The Circular which has been relied upon  by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has no causal connection  with the claim of the petitioner namely, reservation as Scheduled Caste  Category candidate. 

6. Counsel   for   the   petitioner   has   relied   upon   Article   341   of   the  Constitution of India and has submitted that His Excellency the President  is finalizing certain castes as Scheduled Caste for a particular State in  consultation with His Excellency the Governor of a particular State. Once  the Scheduled caste for a particular State is notified in the gazette, no  other Local Residential Certificate etc. is required for claiming reservation  as   a   Scheduled   Caste   candidates.   The   benefits   of   reservation   as  Scheduled Caste Category candidate can be claimed only on the basis of  4 the   Scheduled   Caste   certificate.   No   other   certificate   is   required.  Annexure­2   and   Annexure­3   have   already   been   supplied   to   the  Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   at   the   time   of   filing   of   the  application that the petitioner is a Scheduled Caste Category candidate  and   therefore,   as   per   Annexure­4   Admit   Card   (Card   required   for  appearing in the examination) has been issued by the Jharkhand Public  Service Commission, which also reflects the fact that the petitioner is a  Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidate.   The   demand   of   the   Jharkhand  Public Service Commission that the petitioner ought to have produced  Local Residential Certificate is unwarranted. The Circular which is relied  upon has got no relevance at all. It may happens that for local resident  there may be a reservation. In those circumstances, the Circular No 4156  dated 17th  July, 2002 will be applicable, but, in the facts of the present  case, no such type of reservation for local resident has been prescribed by  the State. Out of total 218 seats of the Medical Officer, Scheduled Caste  category­22 posts, Schedule Tribes­57 posts, Extreme Backward Class­13  posts   and   Backward   Class­17   posts   were   reserved   and   for   General  Category or Unreserved Category­109 posts were prescribed. There is no  reservation for local resident at all as per public advertisement, which is  at Annexure­1 to the  memo of the  present petition and therefore, the  demand of the certificate from the petitioner that unless and until the  petitioner   present   the   Local   Residential   Certificate,   he   cannot   claim  reservation as a Scheduled Caste Category candidate. This is absolutely  illegal  and violative  of  the  provisions of  the  Constitution of  India and  therefore, the result of the petitioner ought to be published under the  Reserved Category of Scheduled Caste and if the petitioner has secured  more marks than lastly selected candidate in General Category, then this  is at the discretion of the respondents to put the petitioner in a General  Category, but, the petitioner's right to claim reservation under Scheduled  Caste Category cannot be denied by the respondents. It is admitted by the  counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission  that   if   the  petitioner is treated as Scheduled Caste Category candidate, he secured  more marks than the marks obtained by the lastly selected candidate in  the Scheduled Caste Category candidate for the post in question.

7. Counsel for the petitioner, therefore, submitted vehemently that let  5 a   suitable   direction   be   given   to   the   respondent­State   to   appoint   the  petitioner on the post of Medical Officer at least in the Scheduled Caste  Category candidate. 

8. Counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the respondents  are insisting that the petitioner must bring a certificate of local residence  in the proforma attached with the Government Circular bearing no. 3389  dated 22nd September, 2001 and as per Circular No. 806 dated 3 rd March,  1982 which are also illegal and unwarranted because it has already been  decided by the Full Bench of this Court in the case of Prashant Vidyarthy  with   Suman   Kr.   Singh   Vs.   State   of   Jharkhand   &   others  reported   in  2003(1) JCR 3 (Jhr.) that the said Circulars i.e. Circular no. 3389 dated  22nd  September, 2001 and Circular No. 806 dated 3 rd  March, 1982 are  illegal and therefore, they have been quashed by a Bench of five Hon'ble  Judges   of   this   Hon'ble   Court.   The  constitutional  validity   was   under 

challenge and it has been held that these circulars are constitutionally  invalid.   Upon   such   type   of   Circulars,   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service  Commission   is   relying   upon   especially   for   grant   of   Local   Residential  Certificate   attached   to   the   above   circulars   and   therefore   also,   the  unreasonable   demand   of   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission  cannot be fulfilled by the petitioner. Once the petitioner is a Scheduled  Caste Category candidate under Article 341 of the Constitution of India,  the State has no power at all to issue further certificate that particular  type of Scheduled Caste Category only will be eligible for reservation.

9. Counsel for the petitioner is relying upon the decision rendered by  the   Hon'ble   Supreme   Court   in   the   case   of  Maharashtra   State   Road  Transport   Corpn.   and   Others   Vs.   Rajendra   Bhimrao   Mandve   and  Others  reported   in   (2001)   10   SCC  51  and   as   per   this   judgment,   the  criteria   for   selection   cannot   be   altered   by   the   authorities   once   the  selection process has already been commenced. In the facts of the present  case the selection process has already been started after publication of  the advertisement. There was no reservation for the local resident. There  was   reservation   for   Scheduled   Caste,   Scheduled   Tribes   etc.   as   stated  hereinabove and therefore, the insistence on the part of the respondent­ Jharkhand Public Service Commission and that too from Scheduled Caste  Category   candidate   that   he   will   be   given   benefit   of   Scheduled   Caste  6 reservation quota only upon production of a Local Residential Certificate.  Such   type   of   insistence   is   de   hors   the   provisions   of   the   law   and   will  violate the aforesaid law pronounced by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and  hence,   let   a   suitable   direction   be   given   to   the   respondents   to   grant  appointment   to   the   petitioner   as   a   Medical   Officer   in   the   Reserved  Category of Scheduled Caste Category candidate.

10. Counsel for the respondent­Jharkhand Public Service Commission  vehemently submitted that the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has  insisted   for   Local   Residential   Certificate   (for   employment)   in   proper  proforma   in   pursuance   of   the   Government   Circular   bearing   no.   4156  dated 17th July, 2002 as well as looking to the Government Circular No.  3389 dated 22nd  September, 2001 and also looking to the Government  Circular   no.   806   dated   3rd  March,   1982.   The   petitioner   may   be   of   a  Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidate,   but,   unless   and   until   this   Local  Residential Certificate (for employment) is brought he cannot claim any  reservation for Scheduled Caste Category candidate. This certificate has  not   been   presented   by   the   petitioner   and   therefore,   his   result   was  published as per Annexure­5 in a General Category candidates after the  written test and therefore, he has not been treated as Scheduled Caste  Category   candidate   and   the   petitioner   has   secured   lesser   marks   than  lastly selected candidate in General Category. Thus, the petitioner cannot  be given benefit of reservation of Scheduled Caste Category candidates.

11. Counsel for the respondent­State submitted that they have already  prescribed reservation of posts as per Annexure­1 to the  memo of the  present petition, which are as under:­ Sl No. Category Number of Posts  1 Unreserved 109 2 Scheduled Caste 22 3 Scheduled Tribe 57 4 Extreme Backward Class  13 5 Backward Class 17 Total 218    Thus, there is no reservation quota for local resident of the State  of Jharkhand. Once it is established that the petitioner is a Scheduled  7 Caste   category   candidate   for   the   State   of   Jharkhand,   the   petitioner   is  falling within the Reserved Category candidates and if a candidate could  not   present   that   certificate   then   he   cannot   fall   within   the   Reserved  Category.   Counsel   for   the   State   further   submitted   that   looking   to  paragraph nos. 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the memo of the present petition enough  certificates   have   been   annexed   about   the   fact   that   the   petitioner   is   a  Scheduled  Caste   Category   candidate.   Annexure­2   is   a   caste   certificate,  Annexure­3 also reflects that the petitioner is a local resident of District­  Dhanbad   and   looking   to   Annexure­4   i.e.   Admit   Card,   issued   by   the  Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   also   reflects   that   the   petitioner  belongs   to   Scheduled   Caste.   The   Circulars,   which   are   referred  hereinabove namely, Circular No. 4156 dated 17 th  July, 2002, has been  issued   by   the   State   for   residential   certificate/permanent   residential  certificate/aboriginal   certificate/domicile   certificate/local   residential  certificate. These certificates have nothing to do with the Scheduled Caste  Category because Scheduled Castes are fixed for a particular State by His  Excellency   the   President   of   India   after   consulting   His   Excellency,   the  Governor of the concerned State under Article 341 of the Constitution of  India. State Officer cannot modify the said list nor any other additional  requirement can be inserted in Article 341 of the Constitution of India. 

12. Having heard counsel for both the sides and looking to the facts  and   circumstances   of   the   case,   this   writ   petition   is   allowed   on   the  following facts and reasons:­

(i) The   present   petitioner   had   preferred   an   application   in  pursuance of the public advertisement dated 10 th November,  2010, which is at Annexure­1 to the memo of the  present  petition, for the post of Medical Officer. The petitioner is an  MBBS and he belongs to Scheduled Caste.

(ii) The   present   petitioner   has   supplied   all   the   necessary  documents, which are at Annexures­2 and 3 to the memo of  the present writ petition, which reflects that the petitioner  belongs to Scheduled Caste Category candidate and he is a  resident   of   District­Dhanbad.   There   are   averments   to   this  effect made in paragraph nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 to the memo of  the present petition. These facts have not been controverted  8 in the counter affidavit, filed by the State as well as by the  Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Thus, the petitioner is  Scheduled Caste Category candidate and he has appeared in  the written test for Medical Officer taken by the Jharkhand  Public Service Commission.

(iii) Thereafter,   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   has  issued an Admit Card, which is at Annexure­4 to the memo  of   the   present   petition,   which   is   meant   for   inviting   the  students   or   candidates   to   appear   in   the   written   test.  Annexure­4 reflects the name of the petitioner, the name of  the   petitioner's   father,   passport   size   photograph   of   the  petitioner, roll number of the petitioner i.e. 94000603 and  his   category   as   Scheduled   Caste.   The   address   of   the  petitioner is also of District­Dhanbad i.e State of Jharkhand.  Thus,   on   the   basis   of   the   documents   given   alongwith   the  application form, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission  has issued an Admit Card, which reflects that the petitioner  belongs   to   Schedule   Caste   Category   candidate   and   his  residential address is of Dhanbad meaning thereby that he  also stays at Housing Colony, Dhanbad. 

(iv) It appears that the petitioner appeared in the written test for  the   post   of   Medical   Officer   which   constitutes   of   different  papers   having   total   marks   as   400.   The   petitioner   has  obtained 199 marks. The result of the written test has been  published   by   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission,  which is at Annexure­5 to the memo of the present petition.  The   roll   number   of   the   petitioner,   which   is   94000603,   is  reflected   in   the   General   Category   candidates,   which   is   at  running page­22 to the present writ petition. This is an error  on the part of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. The  petitioner   belongs   to   Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidate  and the result has been published in the General Category  candidates.   

(v) Looking to Annexure­5 to the memo of the present petition  at running page­24, serial no. 2, it appears that the Reserved  9 Category   candidates   (Schedule   Caste),   who   have   secured  25% marks and above, are invited to appear at the interview. 

         Roll numbers of that candidates are as under:­
                (i)     94001320
                (ii)    94000521
                (iii)   94001420
                (iv)    94001735
                (v)     94000777
                (vi)    94000961

       Thus,   only   these   students   or   candidates   of   Reserved  Category (Scheduled Caste), who have secured 25% marks  and   above   were   invited   in   the   viva   voce   test   though   the  petitioner has secured more than 25% of the total marks the  petitioner's   roll   number   has   not   been   reflected   in   this  Category. This is also an error on the part of the Jharkhand  Public Service Commission. Instead of showing roll number  of   the   petitioner   in   Reserved   Category   candidates   the   roll  number   of   the   petitioner   has   been   reflected   in   General  Category Candidates.

(vi) It   appears   that   the   viva   voce   test   or   oral   interview   was  consisting of 40 marks out of which 10 marks was fixed for  experience,   5   marks   was   fixed   for   higher   educational  qualification and remaining 25 marks was to be given by the  Interview   Committee.   The   petitioner   appeared   in   the  interview   and   has   secured   27   marks.   The   petitioner   has  secured 199 marks out of 400 marks in the written test and  27 marks out of 40 marks in the viva voce test. Thus, the  total marks obtained by the petitioner is 226 out of total 440  marks. Thereafter, the final result based upon submission of  of the written test as well as oral test has been published by  the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission,   which   is   at  Annexure­6 to the memo of the present petition. Looking to  the   result   of   the   Scheduled   Caste   Category   candidates,   it  appears that the following are the roll numbers, who have  been declared successful:­ 10

(i) 94000051

(ii) 94000063

(iii) 94000172

(iv) 94000250

(v) 94000553

(vi) 94000688

(vii) 94000777

(viii) 94000818

(ix) 94000845

(x) 94000917

(xi) 94000986

(xii) 94000990

(xiii) 94001004

(xiv) 94001103

(xv) 94001163 (xvi) 94001229 (xvii) 94001484 (xviii)94001493 (xix) 94001643 (xx) 94001735 Thus,   interview   of   the   Scheduled   Caste   Category  candidates were taken up only for six candidates whereas, 20  candidates   were   declared   successful   in   Scheduled   Caste  Category by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. This  is also an error apparent on the face of record. 

(vii) Though   the   petitioner   has   secured   more   marks   than   the  lastly   selected   candidate   in   the   Scheduled   Caste   Category  candidates, the roll number of the petitioner has not been  reflected  as   a   successful  candidate   in  the   Scheduled  Caste  Category   candidates   in   the   final   result   published   at  Annexure­6 to the memo of the preset petition. This is also  gross   illegality   committed   by   the   respondent­Jharkhand  Public Service Commission. All the aforesaid candidates are  successful   candidates   as   Scheduled   Caste   Category  candidates. The petitioner has secured higher marks than the  lastly selected candidate. This fact has not been denied by  the   counsel,   who   is   appearing   for   the   Jharkhand   Public  Service Commission.

(viii) Counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission  submitted   that   as   the   petitioner   had   not   supplied   Local  Residential   Certificate   (for   employment)   therefore,   the  11 petitioner's   candidature   was   not   considered   under   the  Reserved   Category   candidates   of   Scheduled   Castes.   This  certificate   was   demanded   because   of   a   Circular   issued   by  respondent­State   bearing   no.   4156   dated   17th  July,   2002,  which   is   at   Annexure­8   to   the   supplementary   rejoinder  affidavit filed by the petitioner. The said Circular is meant for  some other purposes. The said Circular cannot take away the  rights vested in the petitioner by virtue of Article­341 to be  read  with   Article­14  and   16     of   the  Constitution   of   India.  This   Circular   reflects   the   fact   how   to   issue   the   Local  Residential Certificate. In fact, the said Circular talks about  several types of certificates namely:­

(a) Residential Certificate;

       (b)     Permanent Residential Certificate;
       (c)     Aboriginal Certificate;
       (d)     Domicile Certificate;
       (e)     Local Residential Certificate

       Looking to this Circular, it appears that the Government  of Jharkhand was of the opinion that there is some anomaly  or there is some  misconception on the part of Government  Officers and therefore, guidelines were given to Government  Officers, how to issue Local Residential Certificate. Be as it  may,   Local   Residential   Certificate   may   be   issued   in   any  fashion, but, the fact remains that the present petitioner is a  Scheduled   Caste   Category   Candidate   and   therefore,   he   is  entitled to the benefits of Reserved Category for the post in  question.   Looking   to   this   Circular,   there   is   no   causal  connection between the rights of the present petitioner for  getting employment through reservation quota of Scheduled  Caste   and   method   of   grant   of   the   Local   Residential  Certificate.  It is not denied by the counsel for the State as  well   as   by   the   counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service  Commission that the petitioner belongs to Scheduled Caste  Category   candidates.   The   only   objection   raised   by   the  Jharkhand Public Service Commission is that the petitioner  12 has not  produced Local   Residential  Certificate  in a  proper  proforma which has been given at the end of the Circular,  therefore, the petitioner is not given employment as Medical  Officer, in reserved category. The Jharkhand Public Service  Commission has lost sight of the fact that Annexure­2 and 3  to   the   memo   of   the   present   petition   reflects   that   the  petitioner is Scheduled Caste Category candidate and he is a  resident   of   District­Dhanbad   which   is   of   the   State   of  Jharkhand.   There   is   no   statutory   format   of   the   certificate  hence, the certificate presented by the petitioner cannot be  said to be insufficient, illegal or irregular. 

(ix) Counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   has  also submitted that there are two more Circulars issued by  the     Government   bearing   no.   3389   dated   22 nd  September,  2001 and Circular No. 806 dated 3 rd March, 1982 and as per  these two Circulars also, the Local Residential Certificate (for  employment)   is  required   to   be   given   by   the   petitioner   for  claiming the post in question as Scheduled Caste Category  candidate.   Now,   it   is   submitted   by   the   counsel   for   the  Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   that   these   two  Circulars have been replaced by two new Circulars dated 8 th  August, 2002 and 19th August, 2002. Neither a copy of these  Circulars are annexed with any of the reply of the Jharkhand  Public Service Commission nor these have been presented at  the time of arguments before this Court. Bare assertion has  no value in the eye of law. 

(x) Counsel   for   the   petitioner   has   rightly   relied   upon   the  decision rendered by five Hon'ble Judges of this Court in the  case of Prashant Vidyarthy with Suman Kr. Singh Vs. State  of   Jharkhand   &   others  reported   in  2003(1)   JCR   3  (Jhr)  especially in paragraph­55, which reads as under: 

"55. In view of the discussions and findings given  above, I am of the opinion that:
(i) a   person   who   is   a   non­resident   not   a   local  person   or   is   outsider,   is   not   prevented   from   applying   for  consideration of his case for appointment against any Class­ III   or   IV   posts   in   the   State   of   Jharkhand,   if   otherwise  eligible;
13
(ii) the   part   of   the   Resolution   No.   05/Vividh­ 09/2001­Ka­4737   dated   19th  August,   2002,   giving  preference to 'local persons' who are familiar with the local  conditions such as local language, customs etc. is valid being  constitutional and within the ambit of State Government to  frame such guidelines/rues; and 
(iii) the definition of 'local persons' and guidelines  prescribed   for   determination   of   'local   persons'   vide  Resolution   No.   05/vividh­09/2001­Ka­4737   dated   19th  August,  2002,  both are unjust, unreasonable, unworkable,  arbitrary, discriminatory and ultra vires to Articles 14 and 16  of the Constitution of India." 

  (Emphasis Supplied)           In view of the aforesaid decision, the Circular issued  by the respondent­Government bearing no. 4156 dated 17 th  July,   2002,   which   is   at   Annexure­8   to   the   supplementary  rejoinder affidavit filed by the petitioner and which has been  relied upon by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission for  Local   Residential   Certificate   (a   proforma   which   has   been  given at the end of the aforesaid Circular), has been quashed  and  set aside   and  therefore, the  Jharkhand  Public Service  Commission   cannot   insist   upon   the   Local   Residential  Certificate in proforma, which has been given in Circular No.  4156   dated   17th  July,   2002   because   it   has   already   been  quashed and set aside.

(xi)  It ought to be kept in mind by the Jharkhand Public Service  Commission   that   Article­341   of   the   Constitution   of   India  prescribes   a   procedure   for   declaration   of   certain   castes   as  Scheduled   Castes   for   a   particular   State.   Article­341   of   the  Constitution of India reads as under:­         "341. Scheduled Castes.­(1) the President may with  respect  to  any  State  or Union  territory,  and   where  it  is  a  State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public  notification, specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or  groups   within   castes,   races   or   tribes   which   shall   for   the  purposes   of   this   Constitution   be   deemed   to   be   Scheduled  Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case  may be. 

        (2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude  from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification  issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or  group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a  notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied  by any subsequent notification." 

          In view of the aforesaid provisions, His Excellency, the  14 President after consulting His Excellency, the Governor of a  particular State declares certain castes as Scheduled Castes  for a particular State. Whenever any question arises whether  a particular caste is Scheduled Caste or not, the only thing  requires   to   be   seen   and   checked   is   Schedule   which   is  published   in   the   notification   under   Article   341   of   the  Constitution   of   India.   Once   a   caste   of   a   candidate   is   a  Scheduled Caste and if certain seats are reserved for getting  public employment under Article 16 of the Constitution  no  other   requirement   can   be   inserted   by   the   State   or   by   the  Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission.   Assuming   without  admitting that such requirement is there then also looking to  Annexures­2   and   3,   the   petitioner   belongs   to   District­ Dhanbad. These facts have been stated in paragraph nos. 7,  8, 9 and 10 to the memo of the present petition, which have  not   been   denied   or   controverted   by   the   State   or   by   the  Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   in   their   respective  counter affidavits.  Too much insistence for proper proforma  is not required at all. There is no such law or rules for such  insistence by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. No  law compels the petitioner or no obligation has been created  by   the   law,   rules,   regulations,   order   or   policy   upon   a  candidate to supply in a proper proforma, "Local Residential  Certificate" even though he is a Scheduled Caste candidate.

(xii) Counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   has  relied upon Clause 9(v) of the public advertisement, which is  at Annexure­1 to the memo of the present petition, and has  submitted that those who are local resident of the State of  Jharkhand they are the only candidates, who are going to be  benefited of the reserved quota. Those who are  Scheduled  Castes,   Scheduled   Tribes,   Extreme   Backward   Class   or  Backward Class of the other State were not entitled to the  reservation   quota.   This   argument   is   not   helpful   to   the  Jharkhand Public Service Commission mainly for the reason  that looking to the facts and circumstances of the case and  15 looking to Annexures­2 and 3 to the  memo of the  present  case, it reflects that the present petitioner belongs to District­  Dhanbad of the State of Jharkhand. He is not a foreigner to  the State of Jharkhand. Moreover, he is also of a Scheduled  Castes Category candidate and therefore, he is entitled for  the   benefits   of   reservation   category   quota   prescribed   for  Scheduled Caste candidates.

(xiii) Counsel   for   the   Jharkhand   Public   Service   Commission   has  also relied upon Annexure­C to the counter affidavit filed on  behalf of respondent nos. 2 and 3 dated 19 th  March, 2002.  Looking to this Press Communique, it appears that it changes  the conditions, which have already been reflected in clause  9(iii)(Chh) of the public advertisement. Thus, in view of the  decision reported in  (2001) 10 SCC 51,  once the selection  process has already been started the  rules of the  selection  cannot be changed as per public advertisement clause 9(iii) (Chh). Necessary certificates have already been supplied by  the petitioner. Now the new requirement is incorporated by  the   subsequent   Press   Communique   at   Annexure­C   to   the  counter   affidavit   filed   by   respondent   nos.   2   and   3   and  therefore,   there   is   no   legal   obligation   on   the   part   of   the  petitioner   to   supply   such   type   of   additional   certificate.  Moreover,   looking   to   Annexure­C   to   the   counter   affidavit  filed by respondent nos. 2 and 3 dated 19 th March, 2012, it  appears   that   a   certificate   of   a   Local   Residence   (for  employment) is to be given by Sub Divisional Officer or by  the   Deputy   Commissioner   of   the   District.   Looking   to   this  Communique, it cannot be  said that a candidate, who has  not given such type of certificate, is not eligible for getting  benefits   of   reservation   category   quota   benefits.  This  Communique   never   curtails   the   right   to   get   public  employment, of the present petitioner, which is arising out of  Article 14 to be read with Article 16 to be read with Article  341 of the Constitution of India. There is no statutory rule  with the State of Jharkhand which prescribes such type of  16 certificate   which  is  to  be  given  by   a  candidate  for  getting  benefits   of   Scheduled   Castes   quota.   Whatever   insisted   is  dehors the law and cannot create any legal obligation on the  part of the candidate. There ought to be a duty vested in the  candidates   for   supplying   such   type   of   certificate   and   legal   obligation  arises      under   the   law   and     not   from   whims   and   capricious of the respondents. There are already certificates  on record with the respondents, which are at Annexures­2  and 3. These  certificates are  in consonance  with what are  required   under   clause   9(iii)(Chh)   of   the   public  advertisement,   which   is   Annexure­1   to   the   memo   of   the  petition.  Thus, the insistence on the part of the Jharkhand  Public Service Commission that unless and until the present  petitioner   brings   or   produce   Local   Residential     Certificate  (for employment) and that too in a particular proforma, he  cannot   claim   reservation   quota   prescribed   for   the   post   of  Medical Officer. This is a misconception of law, on the part of  the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Under the law the  petitioner is entitled to get the benefits of Reserved Category  Quota   for   the   post   of   Medical   Officer.   The   petitioner   is  admittedly Scheduled Caste  candidate  and  is a  resident of  District   Dhanbad,   State   of   Jharkhand   as   per   Annexures­2  and   3.   The   petitioner   stays   at   District­Dhanbad,   State   of  Jharkhand.   It   is  also   admitted   fact   that   the   petitioner   has  secured   more   marks   than   lastly   selected   candidate   of  Scheduled Castes category. 

13. As a cumulative effect of the aforesaid facts, reasons and judicial  pronouncements,  this writ petition is allowed with a cost of Rs. 10,000/­  (Rupees ten thousand only). The Jharkhand Public Service Commission is  directed to declare the result of the present petitioner  without insisting  Local   Residential   Certificate   (for   employment)  for   the  post   of   Medical  Officer in pursuance of the public advertisement, which is at Annexure­1  to the memo of the present petition, within a period of one week from  the date of receipt of a copy of an order of this Court and if he is declared  successful,   the   respondents   is   further   directed   to   appoint   the   present  17 petitioner within a period of two weeks thereafter. Looking to the public  advertisement, there are total 218 posts for the post of Medical Officer  out of  which 22 posts are  reserved for Scheduled Caste  Category and  looking   to   the   final   result   at   Annexure­6   to   the   memo   of   the   present  petition, there are only 20 candidates, which have been selected in the  Reserved   Category   (Scheduled   Caste)   and   therefore,   there   are   seats  vacant for the Scheduled Caste Category candidates.           

                               (D.N. Patel, J) VK